Polk County supervisor briefs council on transparency efforts, grants and election office move

Polk County Supervisor Jill Alsringer updated the Urbandale City Council on county initiatives including transparency steps, grant and contract reforms, a move of the county election office to Riverplace, and cost savings from a state medical examiner contract.

Jill Alsringer opened by noting, “Polk County, we like to say leading the way,” and summarized several county changes since she took office. Alsringer said the county has made agenda materials hyperlinked and more accessible, started live streaming and archiving board and board‑staff meetings, implemented requests for proposals to review longstanding contracts, and revamped the county’s grant process.

She also reported fiscal changes: Alsringer said the county cut its tax levy by 10 cents, an adjustment she said had not happened in many years. Alsringer said contracting with the state medical examiner for autopsy services avoided roughly $37,000,000 in up‑front capital costs and about $1 million a year in ongoing costs because the county did not need to build a new facility.

Elections and reentry services Alsringer said the county moved its election office to Riverplace to reduce wait times and provide more voting booths and dedicated parking; she said the old election office is being appraised and the county is considering removing it from ownership. She also said the county implemented a kiosk at the jail to assist people reentering the community and would provide more information about that kiosk to council upon request.

Other topics and outreach Alsringer said the county is updating policies on workplace harassment and violence, establishing a position review committee for vacant FTEs, reviewing carrier contracts after issuing RFPs, and distributing remaining EAR 2 funds to address homelessness and increase available units.

Councilmembers thanked Alsringer for the update and asked follow‑up questions; one councilmember asked about the kiosk at the jail and Alsringer said she would provide more details after staff follow‑up.…